Method of playing cards

ABSTRACT

A method of playing cards is provided which is suitable for use with video poker machines and other casino arrangements. A player is dealt two hole cards, followed by a matrix including nine flop cards arranged in three rows and three columns. The player may then select three connecting flop cards, including one from each column. The player is dealt a turn card and a river card. The highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card is then determined.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of card games have become popular in recent years as casino-style gambling has become available in an increasing number of states and on the internet. Among the most popular card games are poker games, typically played with a standard 52-card deck. Poker games are popular because they can be played among individuals, or between players, and are not limited to individual players versus the house.

One especially popular poker game is “Texas Holdem.” Initially, each player is dealt two cards, called “hole cards,” face down. Each player may then place a bet. Once a player places a bet, the other players may call the bet, raise the bet, or fold.

Next, three “flop” cards are dealt face up. The flop cards are common to all players. The players again evaluate their hands using each player's face down hole cards combined with the three flop cards. Another round of betting ensues.

Next, a fourth common card, called a “turn” card, is dealt face up. The players individually evaluate their hands to determine highest ranking five-card hand from the six cards available to each player. A third round of betting ensues. Next, a fifth common card, called a “river” card, is dealt face up. The players individually evaluate their hands to determine the highest ranking five-card hand from the seven cards available to each player. A fourth round of betting ensues.

Finally, the players who have not yet folded reveal their “hole” cards. The player with the highest ranking five-card hand wins the pot. The rank of hands is determined according to standard poker rules, e.g. royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pairs, one pair, and high card.

Because of the two face-down hole cards, and the need for multiple players, standard Texas Holdem is not readily adaptable to video poker machines or the conventional “dealer versus player” format of casinos. There is a need or desire in the gaming industry for a modified card game which reminds players of Texas Holdem and is adaptable to video game and casino formats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of playing cards which resembles Texas Holdem yet with significant differences, making the game adaptable to video game and casino format. The game may be played with a standard 52-card deck.

Initially, the player commits a minimum amount (“ante”) and two hole cards are dealt face up on a video screen or gaming table. The player may place a further bet at this stage, or continue without betting.

Then, nine cards are dealt face up in a matrix pattern, including three rows and three columns. Each row includes three cards and each column includes three cards. The player selects a first flop card from the first column. The player selects a second flop card from the second column that is either horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the first flop card. The player selects a third flop card from the third column that is either horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the second flop card.

Flop cards which are horizontally or diagonally adjacent to each other in the matrix are herein referred to as “connecting” cards. The player's objective is to select the three connecting flop cards which the player believes will yield the highest ranking five-card hand. After selecting three connecting flop cards, the player may place a further bet, or continue without betting.

Then, the player is dealt a sixth “turn” card, and may place a further bet. Then, the player is dealt a seventh “river” card. The player is paid by the video machine or the casino dealer based on the total highest ranking five-card hand from the seven cards, and the total amount bet (including the ante and any subsequent bets).

Variations of this card game are also within the scope of this invention, as described further below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 schematically illustrate the method of the invention with respect to various playing strategies that may be chosen by the player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, after committing an initial amount (“ante”), the video machine or other dealer deals the player two face-up hole cards 12 and 14, suitably from a standard 52-card deck. Having seen the hole cards, a two of diamonds and a four of diamonds, the player may place a further bet, or continue without betting.

The video machine or other dealer then deals nine face-up flop cards in a matrix which includes three rows A, B and C and three columns 16, 18 and 20. In the embodiment shown, each row (A, B and C) includes three cards and each column (16, 18 and 20) includes three cards. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), more than three rows of flop cards may be dealt, thus increasing the player's chance of obtaining a higher ranking hand. The ultimate payouts for ranking hands may be adjusted to account for this advantage.

The player then selects a first hole card from the first column 16. In the embodiment shown, hole card 16A (column 16, row A) is selected, because this optimizes the player's chance of achieving a straight.

The player then selects a second connecting hole card from the second column 18 and a third connecting hole card from the third column 20. The arrows with dashed lines illustrate some (but not all) of the selections that can be made in order for the cards to be connecting. In one scenario, the player may select three connecting cards from row A (i.e. cards 16A, 18A and 20A) because this maximizes the player's chance of obtaining a straight, while maintaining the chance of obtaining a flush. In another scenario, the player may select diagonally connected cards 16A, 18B and 20C from three different rows, because this maximizes the chance of obtaining a higher card flush while maintaining the chance of obtaining a straight. Other flop card selections (e.g. 16A with 18B and 20B, or 16A with 18A and 20B) represent connecting card combinations, but are less appealing.

In an alternative embodiment, the player may be required to select all three flop cards from the same row (A, B or C). This reduces the player's chance of obtaining a higher ranking hand. The ultimate payouts for ranking hands may be adjusted to account for this disadvantage.

Once the three flop cards are selected, the player may place a further bet, or continue without betting. The video machine or other dealer then deals the player a sixth face-up turn card 22. The player may place a further bet or continue without betting. The video machine or other dealer then deals the player a seventh face-up river card 24, and determines the highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, three selected flop cards, turn card and river card. The player is then paid based on the highest five-card ranking hand (if any) that can be derived from the seven cards possessed by the player.

A significant element of chance arises from the player being required to select three connecting flop cards before knowing the identity of the turn card 22 or the river card 24. In the embodiment illustrated, either of the flop card combination 16A, 18A and 20B, or the flop card combination 16A, 18B and 20B, would have yielded the highest ranking hand of two pairs. Yet as explained above, these combinations would have seemed less appealing at the time of selection of the flop cards.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative playing strategy based on the same dealing of hole cards 22 and 24 and the same matrix of flop cards. As shown in FIG. 2, by selecting the middle card 16B from column 16 as the first hole card, the player maximizes the possible selections of second and third hole cards. Several of the possible connecting card combinations illustrated (e.g. 16B with 18A and 20B, or 16B with 18B and 20B) would maintain the possibility of obtaining a straight. However, the combination of 16B with 18C and 20C would, if selected, guarantee at least one pair and maintain the possibility of four of a kind, a full house, three of a kind or two pairs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative playing strategy based on the same dealing of hole cards 12 and 14 and the same matrix of flop cards. A player may seek to procure a high card straight, high card three of a kind, high card two pairs or high card pair by selecting 16C (the queen of hearts) as the first connecting hole card, 18B (the jack of clubs) as the second connecting hole card, and 20B (the ten of spades) as the third connecting hole card. Alternatively, the combination 16C, 18C and 20C would guarantee at least one pair, and maintain the possibility of four of a kind, a high card full house, three of a kind, or a high card two pairs. Again, there is a significant element of chance. After revealing the turn card 22 and river card 24, it is seen that the highest ranking hand (a pair of tens) would result from selecting flop cards 16C, 18B and 20B.

Other variations of the game are considered to be within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, the player selects only one of the flop cards from the first column 16. The video game computer then selects the second and third connecting flop cards from columns 18 and 20, respectively, based on the highest ranking possible hand, after the turn card 22 and river card 24 are displayed.

In another embodiment, the player selects only one of the flop cards from any one of the columns 16, 18 or 20. The video game computer then selects the remaining two connecting flop cards, based on the highest ranking possible hand, after the turn card 22 and river card 24 are displayed.

In another embodiment, the player selects two connecting flop cards from any two of the columns 16, 18 and 20. The video game computer then selects the remaining connecting flop card, based on the highest possible ranking hand, after the turn card 22 and river card 24 are displayed.

In another embodiment, the player does not select any of the flop cards. The video game computer then selects all three connecting flop cards from columns 16, 18 and 20, based on the highest possible ranking hand, after the turn card 22 and river card 24 are displayed.

In another embodiment, some or all of the flop cards are dealt face down until at least one card has been selected by a player. In another embodiment, the hole cards, turn card and/or river card may be dealt face down pending an action by the player, such as placing a bet or electing to continue without betting.

The method of the invention can be practiced using a standard deck of poker cards or an electronic version thereof, if played as a video card game. The standard deck has four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs), each having thirteen cards ranking two through 10, jack, queen, king and ace, with the aces having the option of being played high or low. The relative amounts of wagers and payouts should be designed to provide a reasonable return for the gaming establishment, while providing a level and frequency of return to maintain player interest.

Alternatively, the method of playing cards may be incorporated into a purely recreational video game, with payouts based on points or fictitious monetary amounts. Furthermore, when used as a poker game for gambling purposes, the method of playing cards may be adjusted so that it conforms to regulations which may vary from one jurisdiction to another. The method of playing cards may be incorporated into a stand-alone video poker machine for use in casinos, or into a computer software package adapted to personal computers, or into a centralized software package used for internet gambling.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are considered exemplary. Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: a) dealing two hole cards; b) dealing at least nine flop cards in a matrix which includes at least a first row, a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column and a third column; c) selecting a first flop card from the first column; d) selecting a second flop card from the second column; e) selecting a third flop card from the third column; f) dealing a turn card; g) dealing a river card; and h) determining a highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second selected flop card is horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the first selected flop card and the third selected flop card is horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the second selected flop card, in the matrix.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third selected flop cards are in the first row.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein all of the cards are dealt face up.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cards are dealt face down.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein steps a, b, f, g and h are performed by a dealer and steps c, d and e are performed by a player.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the dealer is a video machine and the cards are electronically dealt.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the dealer is a casino dealer.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps a through h are performed by a dealer.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein any one of steps c, d and e is performed by a player and the remaining steps are performed by a dealer.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein any two of steps c, d and e is performed by a player and the remaining steps are performed by a dealer.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein steps c, d and e are performed after steps a and b and before steps f and g.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of steps c, d and e is performed after steps f and g.
 14. A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: a) dealing two hole cards; b) dealing nine flop cards; c) selecting first, second and third flop cards from the nine cards dealt; d) dealing a turn card; e) dealing a river card; and f) determining a highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein all of the cards are dealt face-up.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the nine flop cards are dealt in a matrix including a first row, a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column and a third column.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting the first, second and third flop cards comprises the steps of selecting the first flop card from the first column, selecting the second flop card from the second column, and selecting the third flop card from the third column.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second selected flop card is horizontally or laterally adjacent to the first selected flop card and the third selected flop card is horizontally or laterally adjacent to the second selected flop card.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein steps a, b, e and f are performed by a video machine, and the cards are electronically dealt.
 20. A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: a) dealing two hole cards; b) dealing at least nine flop cards in a matrix which includes at least first, second and third rows and first, second and third columns; c) selecting three connecting flop cards, including one flop card from each of the three columns; d) dealing a turn card; e) dealing a river card; and f) determining a five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card. 